Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
His eyes lock with mine. “No one comes before you. I’ll never marry. My life belongs to you.”
My eyebrows draw together, and unable to be selfish and rejoice that I don’t have to share him with another woman, I have to think about him.
“But that’s so unfair to you,” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “No, it’s not. Some guardians never receive a charge, and they have no destiny to fulfill. I’m one of the lucky ones.”
It’s the longest conversation we’ve had since we returned to Vaalbara, and seeing as he’s answering my questions, I dare to ask another, “So what happens if you want to be with a woman? Or are you celibate?”
I glance at the other riders and our surroundings while I hope he doesn’t get offended by my intrusive questions.
When he lets out a chuckle, I’m caught by surprise.
“No, I’m not celibate.”
He doesn’t explain his answer further, and I don’t have the guts to ask another question.
He’s not celibate, which means he’s probably been with his fair share of women.
Remembering the night when he laughed with the woman by the bonfire and how she touched him, I wonder if there’s something more between them.
Jealousy rears in my chest, the emotion so strong I shift on the horse.
“No, I haven’t been with her.”
Oh God.
My entire face goes up in flames, and I mutter, “Stay out of my head.”
He wraps his arm around me again and holds me tightly to his body.
Unable to stop myself, I place my hand over his forearm and close my eyes.
If moments like this are all I’ll ever have, I’m going to savor them.
When we finally reach the area where we’ll set up camp, I can hear the waterfall.
Raighne climbs off before he takes hold of my hips, lifting me from the horse. This time, he lets my body slide down his, and my eyes widen.
Sweet Jesus.
The crooked smile I love so much tugs at the corner of his mouth, then he surprises me by hugging me to his chest.
“I enjoyed today,” he murmurs, his voice low and deep.
“Me too.”
He pulls back, and lifting a hand to my face, he tucks some wild strands behind my ear.
“For the next month, we have to focus on our bond. We have to strengthen it as much as possible.”
I nod, then ask, “Is it true that your talents grow if we have a strong bond?”
He nods. “The sooner I can heal you, the better.”
I let out a chuckle. “Yeah, that would be great.”
As the sun sets, I glance over the area and notice a stream nearby.
At least we have plenty of water.
“Find yourselves a comfortable spot to sleep tonight,” Roark calls out so everyone will hear. “We rise before dawn. You’ll need all your strength and clarity of mind, so get a good night’s rest.”
I glance around, wondering where to sleep, but then Raighne says, “At the side of the cliff is a good spot.”
He unfastens our backpacks, and I follow him to the area where the cliff offers some protection against the elements.
I watch as he opens his bag and removes a tarp and blanket.
“I don’t have those,” I mention.
“We’re sharing.”
We are?
I try to suppress the burst of excitement in my chest.
Dammit, I need to control my emotions better, or he’s going to find out I have the hots for him.
I help Raighne straighten the tarp on the ground before I open my bag and pull my pillow out.
“A pillow? Really?” Raighne asks, sounding a little incredulous.
“Yep, without it, I won’t get any sleep.”
“Did I say to bring one?”
“No, but it counts as an essential item in my books.”
When Raighne takes a roll of toilet paper from his bag, my eyebrows fly up.
“This is an essential item.” He gestures in the opposite direction of the waterfall. “By the way, if you need to go, head out there.”
“There are toilets?” I ask.
A burst of laughter escapes him, then he shakes his head. It actually looks like he’s amused as he says, “You dig a hole.”
I dig a hole? Ugh. I’m going to hate the next month.
I scowl at Raighne. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“The expression on your face is priceless,” he admits with a grin. He glances at the others, then says, “Let’s help them get the fire going.”
Hold on. I’ve had a vision about this conversation.
The realization sends chills down my spine because if this one came true, then it means the others will as well.
I decide not to mention it to Raighne and follow him to where the others are gathered. Not knowing how to help, I watch as he, River, and Storm stack wood before Lucius throws a ball of light at it. Flames roar to life, and I have to admit that’s one hell of a talent to have.
Blair and Brenna bring a bowl with meat threaded onto sticks, and everyone grabs one.